Compensator for shotguns



FEB. 9, 1954 G. R. BATTEN 2,668,479

COMPENSATOR FOR SHOTGUNS Filed Aug. 22, 1950 INVENTOR.

GERALD R BfiT 5 ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 9, 1954 7 U NITED S TAT ES PAT F GOMPENSATOR FORaSHOEEGUN S Gerald R. Batten, Chicago, Ill. 7

Application August 22, 1950, SerialNo;180,846

1 Claim. 1 1

This invention "relates to compensators for shot uns.

Animportant. object of the. present invention is theyprovision of new and novel means to cut down muzzle blast,.to cut down a certain amount of shot deformation, to provide for a better. shot pattern and still reduce recoil to a minimum, and to prevent a jump of the shot as it leaves the muzzle, the end of the tube being positioned close to thermuzzle'end of the gun barrel.

Another important objectof the invention is the. provision of a shot gun compensator comprising ,a modulator in theform of a cage-like outer casing or housing and an inner cylinder or tube; the modulator, being provided with a pairof spaced opposedopenings or louvers at :its outer end, the inner body or tube being provided with :opposed .louvers arranged a predetermined distance from the inner end of the tube, and adjacent thelsaidinner end for the-purpose-of shortening the shot string; as well as to reduce muzzle blast" and recoil; the slot in the-modulator or housing and the slots or louvres in the tube providing an escapement of gases and to relieve the compression-of air in the barrel during the movement of the, shot through the barrel and compensator.

Another important object resides in :the provision of a slotted tube arranged within, and encompassed by an outer housingor modulator member, the inner end of the tube .being arranged in close proximity to the muzzle end of thebarrel to prevent a jump of the shot as it leaves-the barrel and enters into the tube.

A further object is the provision of a modulator.:and tube, each constructed and arranged in :a particular manner and positioned in a certain way to :efiect proper shot formation, reduction in recoil and muzzle blast and to prevent strayshot pellets from beingb-lown out of the tube during the'passage :of the :shot through the tube.-

Numerous other object and advantages will be apparent throughout the progressof the application which follows.

The accompanying drawing illustrates a selected embodiment of the invention, andthe vlewstherein areas follows:

Fig. 1 is a detail elevational view of a shot gun perspec-- viewiof the compensator-arrangedon a shot gun barrel.

The particular constructionherein shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention comprises .a tubular: modulatororz-outer housing I, which is adapted to be secured to the muzzle end 2 of a shot gun barrel :3- The particular shot gun, barrel herein shown .-is provided with an elongatedrsolid' rib 4 alongaits upper surface, althoughthecpresent compensator may be applied to barrels. having other fonns-of ;ribs, such as a ventilated rib.

The modulator or tubular outer-housing- [has a relatively'thickened inward part 5 which is interiorly screwethreaded-at to cooperate with screw threads?! formed one bushing 0r sleeve 8 which "is mounted :ext-eriorly of the barrel 3 at its :muzzle'end'd, Figs. 2 and 3. .The modulator body l 'is adapted to be-provided with a pair of diametrically opposed circumferentially spaced slots, openings or louvers 9 arranged at, or near, theextreme-outer forward 1 end of the body to permit'gases in the compensator :to escape during the discharge of :the'gun. The extreme forward outer end of themodulator body ':l is provided withinternal screw .threadstill :With which the forward vendiof *therinward'ly' positioned tube i2 has threaded engagement'l igs. 2vand 3;

The-tube I2 is arranged concentrically inside of the modulator housing 1, and is spaced a certain distance from the surrounding wall of the modulator :l to provide a, circular chamber about the outside of the tube. The tube I2 may be made in .various diameter depending upon the size; and efieet desired. A single barrel shot gun thus 'maybeprovid-ed with various chokes, such as cylinder, improved cylinder, modified, improved modified, full; and :evensuper choke by theapplicationof theproper tube:

Heretofore, certain shot gun compensators have been provided with aniouter casing or housing having :a plurality :of .spa'cedcontiguous oppositely-disposed openings extending practically throughout its entire length,cand the conventional tubejheretoiore used had a solid enclosing or encircling wall. :Cert-ain of these :prior tubes extended: inwardly .o'f thezoutertcasing, while other types protruded -.outwardly="beyond the end of the body or casing. Certain :of --the conventional compensators ehad thel-disadvantage in that the report of the shot, ,that is, thel muzzle blast, was very loud -and annoying, particularly in cases where hunter rareoclose together, :such as in a duck bli-nd,- or when the fih'unter shoots over a dog. These prior compensators also had the dis- 3 advantage of being unsafe because some of the shot pellets would be discharged out of the side of the casing through the elongated rows of spaced openings. These former devices also did not have the proper shot pattern which is desired by every hunter or shooter. The present invention overcomes many of the disadvantages inherent in the conventional type of compensators, but still retains the advantages they may have.

The tubular opening of the compensator tube I2 of the present invention is relatively large at its inner or receiving end I3, Fig. 3, being somewhat larger in size at that end than the diameter I4 of the bore of the gun barrel at the muzzle end. The extreme inner edge I5 of the tube I2 at the shot receiving opening I3 is flared and sloped in relatively bell-shaped formation so that the shot string, when it leaves the muzzle, will be received within the tube, and thereby overcome any danger of any of the shot striking the end of the tube or ricocheting within the body of the tube. The extreme inner end of the tube I2 is positioned in very close proximity to the end of the gun barrel muzzle so as to receive all the shot immediately after it leaves muzzle, and thereby prevent any deformations of the shot. The gas between the inner end of the tube and the outer end of the barrel is very slight, if any, it being preferable that there be no gap at all. The danger of the shell wad or wild shot catching on or going out of the side of the modulator is eliminated and proper gathering of the shot is assured.

The forward end of the tube I2 is relatively straight, and has an inside diameter of a size equal to the intended or desired choke. The forward end of the tube, outwardly from the center thereof, is also relatively straight, the choke usually being formed in the tube between its inner end and. a point substantially midway thereof.

The tube I2 preferably has an integral knurled ring I'I formed on its outer side, being located a predetermined distance inwardly of the extreme outer end thereof. This knurled ring I! is for the purpose of permitting the tube I2 to be applied easily and removed easily from the casing I so that tubes of different choke may be changed readily. The outer end of the tube I2, just inwardly of the knurled ring I1, is somewhat thickened, and has the exterior screw threads I I, which threadedly engage the interior threads Ill on the inside wall of the modulator I near its outer end. A tube of the desired choke, therefore, may be applied readily and quickly. Each tube regardless of choke is substantially of the same length and weight, thereby providing the same gun balance regardless of the choke.

The tube I2 is provided with pairs of disconnected rows of oppositely disposed spaced slots I8 extending partially about the tube and completely through the tube wall. The slots or openings I8 of each pair of rows are in the same vertical plane and are separated at their ends by an intact portion which is an integral part of the tube body. The pair of rows of slots I8 (there being two rows of six spaced slots shown) start a short distance from the inner end of the tube I2 and extend forwardly, being arranged in spaced apart relationship. The first pair of opposed slots I8, that is the pair closest to the inner end of the tube at the muzzle, start a predetermined distance forwardly of the inner end of the tube. The slots I8 tend to lessen 4 recoil, modulate the shot and shot string and reduce noise, that is the shot gun blast.

It is well known that conventional shot gun compensators cause more noise than would occur should no compensator be used. However, actual tests have proven that the compensator of the invention causes no greater blast than a gun without a compensator.

The slots 9 in the housing and the slots I8 in the tube therefore reduce blast and recoil to a minimum. The location of the slots 9 and positioning of the same at the forward end of the housing, and the location and positioning of the slots I8 in the tube causes pressure in the gun barrel to be relieved and dissipated without any back pressure.

The positioning of the inner end of the tube, close to, and contiguous to the end of the gun barrel and the particular construction and arrangement of the parts, as Well as the formation thereof, recaptures stray shots or pellets, and compacts the shot into a proper charge. The openings or slots in the modulator and tube provide an expansion chamber and give for greater forward thrust of the shot, as well as cutting down recoil. The result of the present compensator, therefore, reduces recoil, reduces muzzle blast, prevents deformation, increases the over-all efiiciency of the gun, and makes shooting safer.

A gun sight I9 may be mounted on the exterior of the modultor I at its forward end and a predetermined distance inwardly of the knurled ring I! on the tube and in line with the sighting plane of the rib ll.

The modulator or tubular housing or body I may be secured to the end of a gun barrel by screwing it to the sleeve 8 which is secured to the gun barrel by soldering or the like. A set screw 20 may be provided for holding the modulator in proper position and alinement with respect to the gun barrel so that the sight I9 will be in proper position with respect to the sighting plane of the gun barrel. However, the manner of applying the compensator to a gun barrel may be by any conventional well known means.

The application of the slotted tube extending interiorly of the compensator housing and con-i centrically spaced therefrom, and the arranging the end of the tube near or at the end of the barrel provides many advantages over conventional devices.

The positioning of the slotted tube inwardly of the modulator with the end of the tube close to the barrel muzzle eliminates a slot jump, pro

vides for proper recoil by reducing same, and

overcomes the violent loud noise or muzzle blast. Tests have proven use of the opposed circum-' ferential slots at the outer end of the modulator, and the spaced rows of circumferential slots in the tube, disclosed in the present invention,

provide for better distribution of the shot, provide for a much better shot pattern, and provide for greater safety.

The compensator, including the modulator I" and its cooperating tube l2, may be made of aluminum, aluminum alloy, steel or'any other kind of metal or material capable of performing the hereby reserved to make all such changes as fall fairly within the scope of the following claim.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

A compensating device for attachment to the muzzle of a shotgun comprising an outer tubular member having a constant outer diameter throughout its length and a constant inner diameter except for a distance at each end thereof, a pair of oppositely disposed circumferentially spaced slots in said tubular member adjacent the end thereof which is to be positioned away from the muzzle, and a single inner tubular member within the outer tubular member and having threaded engagement therewith and providing an annular space therebetween, the inner diameter of the inner tubular member being greater than the diameter of the bore of the gun barrel at the muzzle, an annular flange around the outside of said inner tubular member adjacent the outer end thereof, said inner tubular member having its inner end flared adjacent the barrel muzzle, a plurality of axially spaced and circumferentially extending slots through said inner tubular member greater in number than the slots in the outer tubular member, and the extreme inner end of said inner tubular member positioned to terminate closely adjacent the end of the muzzle when said outer tubular member is mounted on said muzzle, said flange abutting the outer end of the said outer tubular member, said annular space between the inner and outer tubular members being unrestricted between said flange and the inner end of said inner member.

GERALD R. BATTEN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,112,831 Cutts Apr. 5, 1938 2,447,205 Powell Aug. 17, 1948 2,499,428 Tiifany Mar. 7, 1950 2,503,491 Janz Apr. 11, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 562,475 Germany Oct. 26, 1932 

